t h e b l e s s e d k n e a d i n g b o w l

Having read Nourishing Traditions several years ago, we started on a journey that gave us a fresh new look at food and has taken us farther from the grocery store shelves and closer to the dirt. A significant digestive issue in one of the children caused this journey to take full speed through gluten-free diets, GAPS diet, and a successful treatment that I still don’t completely understand (NAET.com). Though we learned a lot, primarily we’ve seen that we’ve got lots more to learn. And the other thing we’ve learned is to give thanks for real food–it’s a blessing from God (Deut. 28 on blessed and cursed kneading bowls). These are some good food sources we’ve stumbled upon on our journey and many people have asked me to share. And after you have eaten and are satisfied…don’t forget to give thanks to God (Deut. 8:10-14)! (:

Just for the Knoxville locals:

McBee Dairy Farm: Fresh cow milk, goat’s milk, butter, grass-fed beef, pork, chickens, eggs with various weekly drop-off locations; one is a minute away from our house. Contact Marcie McBee, Phone: (865) 919-7098, Tell her we referred you and we’ll get some free milk credits and toast a frothy glass of milk to you and yours (:. http://www.mcbeedairyfarm.com/Cow-Boarding.html

Laurel Creek Farms: Beef, pork, chickens, eggs, among various other specialty meat at the various Knoxville Farmer’s Market Locations. You can call the farmer/owner, Tracy Monday at 865-680-1739. There’s a store front in Maryville called The Market. Link here: http://www.themarketinmaryville.com/

United Foods Coop: This is where we buy organic rice, grain, beans, spices, dried fruits, oils, and vinegars in bulk. You can basically purchase anything you purchase at Earthfare through this coop, including frozen and refrigerated items. There’s currently no member fee, there’s no tax but a truck gas fee comparable to tax, plus there’s a 6% group discount. The ordering process can be done online. Orders are placed on a monthly schedule with pick up within the week of ordering at Christ Chapel, just down the street from our church Redeemer (PCA). Contact Lynda Johnson: (865) 933-4554 lyndaca49@aol.com

Online food resources:

Virgin Organic Coconut Oil (Cold Pressed) Pricing is listed below:

Packaged: 20kg/box $5.80/kg Total: $116.00 each

There are price breaks for large quantities ordered. These are noted below and quantities are bolded.

Packaged: 20kg/box $4.80/kg Total: $96.00 each “ (3-9 boxes)

Packaged: 20kg/box $3.80/kg Total: $76.00 each “ (10+ boxes)

Shipping for one box at $116.00 would be $32.03. If you were to order two boxes at $96.00/box, each box would cost $29.28 to ship, which would save you $45.50. 20 kg is approximately 5 gallons. We do purchase this in 5 gallon quantities because we have substituted coconut oil for other oils in almost all cooked recipes because of its higher smoking point. If you have any questions about purchasing it contact Steve Bowler: Steve@bulknaturaloils.com; http://www.bulknaturaloils.com (Phone: 617-472-9300 Ext.115)

Celtic Light Grey Sea Salt, 22 lb bags ($88). Also available in smaller increments (1#, 5#, and 10 #). I usually purchase this when a free shipping offer is available which saves about $20.00.http://www.selinanaturally.com/

Informative Resources (feedin’ the head so it can feed the body well):

Mercola.com This is a health newsletter I’ve subscribed to and found helpful for providing basic nutritional advice, highlighting current research, exposing various food and medicine advertising plots and ploys, presenting information regarding deceptive power and money schemes by the pharma, food, and agricultural industries, and providing awareness about pertinent legislation measures which threaten our right to real food (did you hear about legislation S510 that our senators voted for in December?–it originally criminalized saving your own garden seed! Its revision which did pass unanimously was only somewhat better for food freedom). I’m not exactly thrilled sometimes at the new knowledge I have for having read Mercola’s newsletters (I wasn’t pleased to learn about Codex Alimentarius* or the history of its creepy vision) because, I’ve got to admit, sometimes ignorance truly is bliss; but in spite of this, I’ve appreciated reading and being informed by his articles which cover a whole range of subjects–sugar, grains, vaccinations, autism, Vitamin D and sunshine, mercury in fish, sleep and electromagnetic fields, Herschel’s lines, dental hygiene’s correlation to disease… definitely some subject matter for some thought-provoking conversations in ethics, politics, physics, and everything else. (;

Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.I’ve heard and seen more about this recipe book than any other in my life (including Joy of Cooking, and More with Less). I think it’s because it takes most of the conventional nutrition information that we learned from lobbyist-solicited health information (which we all dutifully studied in health class and upon our cereal boxes and which was thereafter reiterated by our doctors) and throws the whole crazy mess overboard. I didn’t appreciate but expected the cave-man style evolutionary presuppositions I heard throughout (most quoting researchers), but the research is helpful nonetheless. If you can handle reconsidering most everything you’ve ever taken to heart about nutrition–fats, oils, cholesterol, raw eggs, raw milk, cereal, and pasteurization–then bravely tolle lege. Just be forewarned: you might not find anything suitable for consumption in the cupboard tonight, however; and quite possibly, tomorrow you’ll, too, be tracking out your own local provisions. I still haven’t watch Food Inc., but I think that this movie is challenging the status quo as well. And I still haven’t read The Omnivore’s Dilemma, but a friend has lent both of these resources to me and it awaits my leisure. After a few years of Mercola articles, I’m not sure anything will surprise me about what the industry has done to food.

http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/This organization is trying to raise awareness of a United Nations food code that is known as “Codex Alimentarius” which was set to become international law in 2009 through the World Trade Organization. Codex Alimentarius includes extremely high allowances for toxic chemicals, while at the same time placing severe restrictions on, or completely banning, vitamins (like Vitamin C) and minerals, which it classifies as “toxins”. The I.G. Farben scientist/Nazi war criminal Fritz Ter Meer was the main architect of Codex Alimentarius, and the U.N. has itself predicted that Codex Alimentarius will lead to a minimum of 3 billion deaths, once it becomes international law. If you eat food, you need to be informed about this. Here’s a You Tube link to a lecture on this topic that is worth listening to. It’s been interesting to watch this legislation action, like the proverbial boiled frog, making its advancements, slowly stifling our food freedom.